Chapter 110: Three Defeats and Three Triumphs

At this moment, within the imperial palace, in a grand hall filled with swirling smoke, Compassionate Guide was watching some palace attendants bustling about. In the center of the hall stood a large cauldron, about a person’s height. The scent of medicinal herbs emanating from it was unmistakable.

Compassionate Guide had originally been introduced to the emperor to refine elixirs for him. However, during a favor done for the son of the King of Jiushan, he had been severely injured by seven Thunderblasts from Wang Yuanfeng, losing half his life force. Only a fragment of his body remained, and he had escaped using a blood escape technique.

Like a centipede that does not die easily, a cultivator can survive as long as the soul remains. Especially for centipedes, a type of segmented insect-serpent, even a fragment left can gradually recover through cultivation.

Since the emperor proposed to confer the title of Imperial Preceptor, the court officials believed that as long as the emperor did not interfere in state affairs, he could do as he pleased. Thus, the motion passed almost unanimously. Even the voices of opposition were but a ripple on the water, incapable of stirring any real waves.

With a thought, his fate aligned with his body. The half-disabled Compassionate Guide suddenly absorbed the dynasty’s fortune, slowly recovering from his near-death state. Though a demon of sorts, he was deeply grateful to the emperor.

Therefore, Compassionate Guide devoted himself wholeheartedly to refining elixirs for the emperor, managing everything from start to finish.

He watched as the medicinal fire beneath the cauldron gradually died down, a flicker of joy passing through his heart. Once cooled, the elixir would be ready—likely today. He also knew the emperor would officially appoint him as Imperial Preceptor tomorrow, so he could present the elixir at the perfect moment.

As his thoughts wandered, suddenly a palace attendant’s voice rang out: “His Majesty has arrived…”

Compassionate Guide glanced at the cauldron and withdrew his thoughts, straightened his robes, and walked to the door. The emperor entered the alchemy chamber, accompanied by several attendants.

Compassionate Guide bowed and greeted, “Your humble servant respectfully welcomes His Majesty.”

“Rise, no need for formalities,” the emperor replied, noticing Compassionate Guide only bowed and stood, which was typical of those outside the worldly ways. Then he asked, “How is the elixir coming along?”

“Your Majesty, I estimate it will be ready in two hours,” Compassionate Guide answered truthfully.

The emperor’s heart lifted with joy, pleasantly surprised it would be completed today. He had also experienced the effects of the elixirs Compassionate Guide had casually prepared before, which had noticeably improved his health. Curious about the potency of this new elixir, he asked, “What kind of elixir is this, and what effect does it have?”

Hearing this, Compassionate Guide was not surprised. The allure of immortality was irresistible to all, especially those on the path of transcendence, let alone a mere mortal emperor.

Originally, Compassionate Guide had only sought to seize the fortune of the Great Liang dynasty, but without this emperor, survival was uncertain. He felt a complex gratitude toward him, which quickly vanished from his eyes.

He gestured for the emperor to enter and said, “Please come in, Your Majesty. Allow me to explain in detail.”

The emperor laughed heartily, “Then I shall wait here for the elixir and savor it.”

Compassionate Guide again invited him in, and the two sat side by side in the meditation chamber. Behind the central cushion hung a large scroll inscribed with the single character “Dao.”

The emperor had seen this character before but never understood why Compassionate Guide, a follower of the Western Sect, would hang such an unrelated symbol. He asked, “You are a disciple of the Western Three Breaks Sect; why hang the ‘Dao’ character in your meditation room?”

Compassionate Guide knew many outsiders wondered about this, but cultivators understood. He replied, “Your Majesty, though I wear monk’s robes, I am not a monk. All my arts derive from the Daoist tradition, so the ‘Dao’ character is hung in the meditation room.”

“Oh?” The emperor was puzzled. Cultivators were strange folk, and even as emperor, he knew little beyond hearsay. “Then why not wear Daoist robes? I can order a set of Eight Trigrams purple robes, a Celestial Master’s crown, and golden fly-whisk.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Compassionate Guide said gratefully, then explained, “I was born without hair, so I wear monk’s robes. Though not a monk, I have created the ‘Three Completes Method,’ distinct from the Three Breaks, so I may be called a monk, but my lineage is Daoist, so I may also be called Daoist.”

“The Three Completes Method?” The emperor was surprised. The Western Sect’s Three Breaks Method—breaking the body, family, and nation—had never been fully endorsed or suppressed by past emperors, who allowed it to develop. In ancient times, emperors lived over a hundred years, and dynasties lasted over a thousand years.

Since the Three Breaks entered the five continents, dynasties lasted no more than three centuries, emperors lived barely a lifetime, and fortune waned. Later, investigations revealed the Western Sect’s homeland had long since fallen, replaced by other sects. Thus, the Three Breaks Sect lacked roots and was itinerant.

During the founding and flourishing of this dynasty, the Three Breaks Sect was active, but chaos had since emerged, and the sect had mysteriously hidden itself.

If the Three Completes Method could replace the Three Breaks, it might save the nation.

“Tell me, what is the philosophy of the Three Completes Method?” the emperor asked.

Compassionate Guide was surprised by the emperor’s interest. After some thought, he said, “The Three Completes correspond to wholeness: completeness of self, family, and nation—opposite to the Three Breaks.”

The emperor’s heart leapt, sensing a path to save the Great Liang dynasty. Eagerly he said, “I have a matter I beseech you to assist with.”

“Your Majesty’s orders are my commands,” Compassionate Guide replied with curiosity.

The emperor thought for a moment, then said, “I wish to implement the Three Completes Method throughout Great Liang to benefit the people. Can I count on your support?”

Compassionate Guide was first surprised but then understood. Although the emperor seemed obsessed with elixirs, it was a helpless choice. Stripped of much power, he sought impossible means to achieve his aims, such as alchemy.

Still, he was the emperor and naturally concerned for his realm. Compassionate Guide was about to refuse but realized that if successful, he might become the founder of a new sect. He nodded, “It would be an honor, and I gladly serve Your Majesty.”

“Excellent!” The emperor applauded, then said, “When you are appointed Imperial Preceptor tomorrow, we will announce this and order all disciples to become monks under your guidance to learn the Three Completes Method.”

“Your Majesty, this must be done cautiously,” Compassionate Guide quickly interrupted. “The Three Completes Method differs from the Three Breaks. Not all disciples may be suited to it.”

The emperor realized his haste and asked, “What do you suggest?”

Relieved, Compassionate Guide feared that if the emperor acted rashly, conflicts might intensify. He proposed establishing monasteries to recruit monks, saying, “Your Majesty, the term ‘monk’ implies one who has erred. Prisoners are also those who have erred. You could send prisoners to monasteries, tonsure them as monks, thus sparing them the misery of prison.”

The emperor was delighted with this twofold solution and said, “With your help, I am truly honored.”

“Your Majesty is too kind,” Compassionate Guide replied with a smile.